How to export foodstuffs to the USA

Written by Sabrina Drouin | January 09, 2014

Procedures and forms to send food to the USA

The measures took by the FDA (United States Food & Drug Administration) have changed in what concerns importation of foodstuff. The legislations have been reinforced in order to prevent bio terrorist attacks. There are now a few extra steps to follow for those who want to send edible goods to the USA, being either for human or animal consumption.

Keep in mind that the procedures with the FDA are mandatory. If the needed paperwork is not correctly filled out, your items will not see delivery and will be either destroyed or returned. For any doubts or information, Jet Worldwide or the courier company you are planning on using will be able to help you out.

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Here are the few steps to follow:

First, you need to be registered with the FDA.
Then, before sending out your goods, you will need to fill in a prior notice and submit it to the FDA. This form is available on the FDA website at the following address : http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm2006836.htm
When your form is submitted and accepted by the FDA, you will then be given a reference number which you will have to join with your shipment’s commercial invoice. You will need three copies of the FDA confirmation in addition to your three copied of commercial invoice.

What is considered foodstuff?

a) Any beverage or food product consumable by human and/or animal

b) Chewing gun

c) Any ingredient used in the production of items a) and b)

These steps are essential to the delivery of your food goods to the United States. They are, however, a few exceptions to the rule. Among the foodstuffs described above, these items are exempted:

Foods carried by a traveler for his personal consumption
Foods exported to the United States and immediately exported outside of the USA
Foods produced in a personal residence, exported as a gift, for no commercial reasons
Shipments between individuals with no commercial reasons
Items that are usually in contact with foods but do not contain any

Contact Jet's team for information on shipping food parcels to the USA

Jet Worldwide offers economy express delivery for food items from Canada for delivery to the USA within 2 business days.

For additional information, here are a few pertinent links:

Official FDA website: http://www.fda.gov/

Official US customs website: http://www.cbp.gov/

jetworldwide.com

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